Breast cancer is a malignant disease that occurs when normal glandural cells change their
characteristics and begin to grow uncontrollably, multiply and destroy the surrounding healthy
tissue. Such changed cells can spread into the lymphatic and/or blood vessels and thus spread the
disease to other parts of the body. Breast cancer is the most common cancer that affects women
in the world and represents a major health problem of Western civilization. According to
statistics, every tenth women is diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetime. Breast cancer
represents about 30% of all cancers in women and causes 15% of cancer deaths. About 20,000
newly discovered cases are diagnosed annually in Croatia, and around 800 women die. The exact
etiology of breast cancer is still not quite known, but it is considered to be a multifactorial
disease that depends on the interaction of external and internal (genetic, metabolic and
hormonal) factors. Breast cancer most commonly affects women over the age of 50, but
nowadays more often younger women in the early 40’s, 30’s and even 20’s are affected. Men
could also be affected by breast cancer, but rarely. Only 1% of all reported cases of breast cancer
are men’s. Breast self-exam, clinical examination, ultrasound examination and mammography
are used to diagnose breast cancer, but final diagnosis is confirmed with pathological
examination of the breast tissue sample.In the treatment of breast cancer, several methods are
used: radiotherapy and irradiation, surgery, hormone therapy and immunotherapyor
chemotherapy. Rehabilitation is maintainedfrom the moment of diagnosis, through all forms of
treatment till the moment of full recovery. Once the treatment is complete, it is necessary to
continuously control the disease and watch for possible recurrence. The rehabilitation program is
individual for every person. Considering that the number of women diagnosed with cancer
increases in the world and in Croatia every year, breast cancer is becoming increasingpublic
health problem. With a good education organization, establishing women’s support groups,
different clubs and projects, it is possible to detect suspicious breast formations in as many cases
as possible. Thereby,affectedwomen couldfaster be included in a process of treatment that can
save their lives.